UNDP Strengthening Coal Mine Safety Capacity in China

Brief Description:

China is now the largest coal producer and consumer in the world with an estimated more than five million coal miners employed in the industry. As the dominant source of energy, China 's c oal sector underlies China 's economic and social development. However , with the fatality rate 10 times higher than in other developing countries (i.e. India , Russia ) and 100 times higher than in the US coal industry, c oal mine safety is a serious problem and regarded as a top priority for nationwide workplace safety. The safety problem is especially acute in township and village mines (TVMs) where the fatality rate is almost twice the national average, largely due to inadequate management and lack of safety awareness among the poor mining communities

The objective of this project is to assist China in resolving the many difficult issues to be resolved in its efforts to improve coal mine safety particularly in TVMs. The project will support the Chinese Government in developing appropriate legislation, policies, regulations and standards and in promoting standardization of a new system for coal mine safety supervision. Through a participatory approach, involving government, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the private sector, the project will also increase mine safety supervision capacity, improve education and awareness in coal mine safety and help to implement a more scientific approach to coal mine management, particularly of TVMs. Realization of safe and economical development in coal mining will effectively protect the rights and lives of millions of mine workers and their families and contribute to more efficient management of natural resources in the current UNDAF programme. It will also release a productive force of two million miners from primitive ‘hand-got' mining methods and release thousands of families from suffering the terrible blow of mine disasters. It will provide education and guidance to poor mine workers and their families and, further, protect the rights and interests of several million women and children. From a national perspective, successful implementation of this project will, without doubt, have an important immediate and far-reaching influence for China 's future economic and social development.

Strategy:

The CMS project will focus on some of the main ones, namely the need to:

•  complete and improve the laws and policies governing coal mine safety;

•  improve and strengthen the enforcement of standards and regulations;

•  improve mine management and, in particular mine safety management, of TVMs;

•  improve coal mine worker empowerment, education and safety awareness;

•  address and research the serious problem of gas explosion and outbursts in coal mines.

Partnership Strategy :

The CMS project activities will be implemented by three principal partners:

•  The State Administration of Work Safety (SA W S) will take primary responsibility for project implementation in partnership. SA W S will coordinate relationships among the different government sectors during the implementation, e.g. with other ministries for the improvement of the laws and regulations.

•  The National Centre for International Exchange & Cooperation on Work Safety (NCICS) is a specialized, non-profitable service organization directly under the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) of China , dedicating its effort to the enhancement of China 's international exchange and cooperation in the area of work safety (including coal mine safety) . On behalf of t he State Administration of Work Safety (SA W S) , NCICS will directly organize and implemen t this project .

•  The Coal Industry Branch of the China Association of Senior Scientists and Technicians (CASST). CASST is a CSO and will play a key role in the project by providing an important pool of human resources that will be invaluable when considering the fast?changing situation in China 's coal industry.

•  The Shanxi Institute for Economic Management (SIEM).As Shanxi Province is by far the largest coal production and has also the largest number of TVMs, SIEM will implement all training activities in the Shanxi demonstration site in co?operation with other relevant agencies. This will include the compilation of training materials and training for TVMs. To assist in completing these tasks, SIEM will also take part in other CMS project activities including national and overseas study tours, field visits, workshops and seminars. SIEM is also expected to provide considerable cost sharing to fund these activities.